Playing under Brazilian coach Marcelo Cabo, the newcomers will bid to avoid relegation having won promotion to the UAE’s top flight last season for the first time since 2007.

Fernando, formerly of Cruzeiro, Ipatinga, Rio Claro, Sao Caetano, Guarani and Villa Nova, told Brazilian media: “I’m happy and it’s good financially for my career. It’s not sunk in yet. I may have difficulties with the culture, language and food, but I know everything will be okay. On the pitch there is no difference.

“I was well received, well treated in Figueirense. It’s not my fault what happened. Now I’m only thinking of the new work.”

Al Hussain previously played for Syria’s Al Hurriya, Al Jaish, Al Karamah and Saudi Arabia’s Al Tawoon before moving to Iraq’s Erbil, while Alex had spent time on loan to Joinville in his home country before moving to the UAE from Botafogo Rio.

Junior has been at Dibba since 2008 and has previous experience from spells at Botafogo, Turkey’s Bursaspor, Romania’s Rapid Bucharest and Portugal’s Paysandu, before a return to Brazil with Tombense, Patos and Madureira.